October 25, 2007 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bill Sali issued the following statement following the passage of a new bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, H.R. 3963. The bill passed 265-142.

“This bill is worse than the one President Bush vetoed. This new SCHIP plan costs more and yet it insures fewer kids,” Sali said. “This is massive, mindless spending that will do nothing but drive up the deficit and force children to pay for this mess when they’re adults.”

Like its predecessor, which was vetoed by President Bush, the new bill still allows states to enroll people in SCHIP even if they’re earning three times the poverty level. The bill still makes it easier for illegal aliens to gain access to benefits by loosening the identification necessary to verify eligibility. The bill also leaves 700,000 adults on the “children’s” health insurance program.